102.77—Investigation of petition by regional director; directed election.
(a)
Where a petition has been filed pursuant to § 102.76 the regional director shall make an investigation of the matters and allegations set forth therein. Any party, and any individual or labor organization purporting to act as representative of the employees involved and any labor organization on whose behalf picketing has been conducted as described in section 8(b)(7)(C) of the Act may present documentary and other evidence relating to the matters and allegations set forth in the petition.
(b)
If after the investigation of such petition or any petition filed under subpart C of these rules, and after the investigation of the charge filed pursuant to § 102.73, it appears to the regional director that an expedited election under section 8(b)(7)(C) is warranted, and that the policies of the act would be effectuated thereby, he shall forthwith proceed to conduct an election by secret ballot of the employees in an appropriate unit, or make other disposition of the matter: Provided, however, That in any case in which it appears to the regional director that the proceeding raises questions which cannot be decided without a hearing, he may issue and cause to be served on the parties, individuals, and labor organizations involved a notice of hearing before a hearing officer at a time and place fixed therein. In this event, the method of conducting the hearing and the procedure following, including transfer of the case to the Board, shall be governed insofar as applicable by §§ 102.63 to 102.68, inclusive, except that the parties shall not file briefs without special permission of the regional director or the Board, as the case may be, but shall, however, state their respective legal positions upon the record at the close of the hearing, and except that any request for review of a decision of the regional director shall be filed promptly after the issuance of such decision.